View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the actor that Dupin remarks on?

2. Dupin's comments about the actor are a direct response to whose thoughts?

3. What is the Rue Morgue?

4. What did each witness identify?

5. What does the salesman in the story sell?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the sailor obtain an orangutan?

2. Who could be considered the antagonist in the story? Why?

3. Describe the way the orangutan behaved after killing the women, according to the sailor.

4. Describe the dead body that was found outside.

5. What elements of the murder appear strange to the reader?

6. Describe the location where Madame L'Espanaye's body was found.

7. What aspects of the case does Dupin feel are the most important?

8. What is the appeal of the case to Dupin?

9. Describe the reason why you think the title was chosen.

10. In what ways is The Narrator observant like Dupin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Poe build suspense in the story? Find three specific examples and analyze them.

Essay Topic 2

How does the story's title relate to the plot, setting, and characters?

Essay Topic 3

What kind of story is "The Murders in the Rue Morgue"? How would you describe it to somebody who had not read a mystery short story before?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 616 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample